Prohibits Dismemberment AbortionsThis bill bans dilation and evacuation abortions, a procedure in which the unborn child is dismembered and ripped apart limb from limb. Family Council Action Committee believes life begins at conception and supported this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 78-10. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 25-6.

Allows Non-Public School Students to Take Academic Courses at a Local Public SchoolThis bill allows students who attend a private school or home school to enroll in an academic course within their public school district. Family Council Action Committee supports the rights of home schoolers and supported this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 87-0. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 34-0.

Restricts the Smoking of Medical MarijuanaThis bill prohibits marijuana smoking anywhere tobacco smoking is prohibited by law; around children under age 14; in the presence of pregnant women; around anyone not authorized to use marijuana, if that person might become intoxicated by the secondhand marijuana smoke; and in a motor vehicle; and it prohibits anyone under 21 from smoking marijuana. Family Council Action Committee supports banning the smoking of marijuana and supported this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 88-0. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 31-1.

Expands Abortion Clinic InspectionsThis bill strengthens inspections of abortion clinics by the Health Department. The Health Department is required to inspect abortion clinics at least annually and is required to immediately shut down an abortion clinic if it fails inspection. Family Council Action Committee supports strong regulations on abortion clinics and supported this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 77-8. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 28-5.

Prohibits Abortions Based on the Sex of the Unborn ChildThis bill prohibits sex-selection abortions and requires an abortionist to inform a woman seeking an abortion that sex-selection abortion is illegal. Family Council Action Committee believes life begins at conception and supported this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 57-9. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 30-3.

Allows Home Schoolers to Participate in Interscholastic Activities at Any Public SchoolThis bill amends the 'Tim Tebow' law by allowing home schoolers to participate in interscholastic activities outside their resident school district as long as both school districts agree. Family Council Action Committee supports the rights of home schoolers and supported this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 75-2. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 34-0

Allows Home Schoolers to Participate in Interscholastic Activities at Private SchoolsThis bill allows home schoolers to participate in interscholastic activities at any private school within 25 miles of the student

Prevents Human Remains from an Abortion from Being Treated as Medical WasteThis bill prohibits experimentation on organs and tissue harvested from unborn babies and requires aborted babies to be respectfully cremated or buried. Family Council Action Committee supports treating unborn babies with respect and supported this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 90-0. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 34-0.

Reduces Home School Reporting on the Notice of Intent to Home SchoolThis bill simplifies and clarifies the Notice of Intent to Home School form. It also ensures local school districts keep home school families and their personal information confidential. Family Council Action Committee supports the rights of home schoolers and supported this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 84-0. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 33-0.

Makes it Easier for a Home Schooler to Transfer to a Public SchoolThis bill requires public school districts to give a home schooler who enrolls or re-enrolls in a public school the same rights and privileges enjoyed by public school students and clarifies the transfer process. Public school districts are required to honor course credit and grades from home schooling. Family Council Action Committee supports the rights of home schoolers and supported this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 81-2. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 31-2.

Limits Lawsuits for Deceptive Trade PracticesThis bill amends the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and makes it more difficult for citizens to sue and collect damages in deceptive trade lawsuits. Family Council Action Committee opposes taking rights away from citizens and opposed this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 53-31. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 19-12.

Regulates Medical Marijuana by Requiring Childproof Containers and Other RestrictionsThis bill requires marijuana products to be sold in childproof packaging and limits the amount of THC in food and drink. This bill also prohibits marijuana vending machines; prohibits people from using marijuana at a dispensary; and regulates who can come or go at a marijuana dispensary. Family Council Action Committee supported this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 90-0. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 34-0.

Requires Abortion Providers to Report Abortions on Girls Under 17This bill requires abortion clinics that perform an abortion on a child less than 17 years of age to preserve fetal tissue extracted during the abortion in case the girl was a victim of a sexual crime. Family Council Action Committee supports the safety and protection of all women and supported this bill.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 84-0. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 31-0.

Restricts Efforts to Circulate Petitions and Pass Amendments to the Arkansas ConstitutionThis resolution proposes a state constitutional amendment to require a vote of at least 60% for the passage of all state constitutional amendments; petition drives to amend the constitution would be required to gather signatures from more counties; and the Attorney General would have the authority to reject or rewrite the wording of ballot measures. Family Council Action Committee opposes taking rights away from citizens and volunteers in the initiative process and opposed this resolution.
The House passed the resolution by a vote of 79-10. The Senate defeated the resolution by a vote of 9-21. This proposed state constitutional amendment will not be on the November 2018 ballot.

Requires Doctors to Attempt to Save Any Child that Survives an AbortionThis bill requires doctors to give a baby born alive during an abortion life-sustaining medical treatment. Family Council Action Committee supports the sanctity of human life and supported this bill.
The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 34-0. The House passed the bill by a vote of 84-1.

Allows the Marijuana Commission to Prohibit the Growing of Marijuana at Marijuana StoresThis bill allows the Marijuana Commission to prohibit the cultivation of marijuana at dispensaries. This bill could prevent marijuana stores from functioning like marijuana farms. Family Council Action Committee supports restrictions on marijuana cultivation and supported this bill.
The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 32-2. It failed in the House Rules Committee.

Allows Grocery Stores in Wet Counties to Sell Wine Produced Out of StateThis bill expands wine sales in grocery stores and big box stores like Walmart and Kroger. Family Council Action Committee opposes the expansion of alcohol sales and opposed this bill.
The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 18-14. The House passed the bill by a vote of 53-34.

Prohibits the Manufacture or Sale of Food or Drink Containing MarijuanaThis bill prohibits companies from making and selling food or drink infused with marijuana---also known as marijuana edibles. Medical marijuana caregivers and hospitals would still be able to mix marijuana with food or drink to aid ingestion. Family Council Action Committee supports banning dangerous products infused with marijuana and supported this bill.
The Senate defeated the bill by a vote of 15-11.

Prohibiting Abortion-Related 'Wrongful Birth Lawsuits'This bill bans 'wrongful birth' lawsuits where parents of a baby born with a disability or genetic disorder sue their doctor claiming they would have aborted their baby if they had known their baby might have a disability. Family Council Action Committee supports the sanctity of human life and supported this bill.
The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 29-0. The House passed the bill by a vote of 82-6.

Bans the Smoking of Marijuana Anywhere in ArkansasThis bill bans all marijuana smoking anywhere in Arkansas. Family Council Action Committee supports banning smoking marijuana and supported this bill.
The Senate defeated the bill by a vote of 11-15.

Allows Lottery Ticket Purchases with Debit CardsThis bill allows retailers to accept debit cards when selling lottery tickets. Family Council Action Committee opposes the expansion of gambling and opposed this bill.
The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 23-6. The House passed the bill by a vote of 60-23.

Allows Education Savings Accounts to Pay for Public, Private, or Home SchoolingThis bill creates a four-year pilot program offering education savings accounts for K-12 students. These funds are used to cover educational expenses such as private school tuition or home school expenses. Family Council Action Committee supports school choice and supported this bill.
The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 22-5. The House defeated the bill by a vote of 43-50.

A Resolution Calling a Convention of States to Propose a Traditional Marriage AmendmentThis resolution called for a convention of states to propose a federal marriage amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Family Council Action Committee supports marriage as the union of one man and one woman and supported this resolution.
The Senate passed the resolution by a vote of 18-9. The House defeated the resolution by a vote of 50-25

A Proposed State Constitutional Amendment That Limits Damages Awarded in Personal Injury LawsuitsThis resolution proposes a state constitutional amendment that lets the legislature limit the amount of money a person can collect and which evidence can be used in all personal injury lawsuits; juries and courts would no longer set damage amounts and rules of evidence. Family Council Action Committee opposes laws that can favor financial interests of nursing homes and hospitals over patient care and opposed this resolution.
The Senate passed the resolution by a vote of 21-10. The House passed the resolution by a vote of 66-30. This proposed state constitutional amendment will be on the November 2018 ballot.

A Resolution Calling on Congress to Propose an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Ending AbortionThis resolution calls on Congress to refer out a federal pro-life amendment ending abortion. Family Council Action Committee believes life begins at conception and supported this resolution.
The Senate passed the resolution by a vote of 26-5. The House passed the resolution by a vote of 62-11.